Limit on travel ban tax arrears mulled
Proposal to increase cap to RM10,000 would enable many to go abroad, says DPM
BAGAN DATUK: The proposal by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to increase the tax arrears limit from RM2,000 to RM10,000 before banning taxpayers from travelling abroad will be brought to the Cabinet for a decision, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In lauding it as a good move, as it would enable more taxpayers to travel abroad, the Deputy Prime Minister said he would monitor the implementation if the proposal was approved by the Cabinet.
“The proposal by PAC is a proactive move, considering taxpayers were banned from travelling due to small amount of arrears.
“This could be a burden to many. By increasing the arrears limit, the number of people on the ban list will be lower,” he said at a press conference after attending a bumiputra entrepreneurs gathering and launching of Kelab Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Bagan Datuk Perak at Dewan Dato’ Lope Hashim here yesterday.
It was reported that PAC had in a statement on Thursday recommended that the Government look into increasing the limit to RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies.
It said the current tax arrears limit of RM2,000 that restricts taxpayers from travelling abroad was no longer feasible in the current economic situation.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said that if the Cabinet approved the recommendation, the Finance Ministry, Insolvency Department and Immigration Department would be notified.
“I will instruct the Immigration director-general, once its operational aspects have been finalised, that all counters at checkpoints implement the policy,” he said, adding that this would benefit those travelling abroad for their pilgrimage as well.
He said those with tax arrears need to apply for a temporary exemption from the Insolvency Department and their applications will be considered based on merit.
Earlier in another function, Dr Ahmad Zahid urged all Barisan Nasional component parties to assist the people at all times regard- less of race.
“Be it a festive season or harvest season, we must always show concern and care for the people at all times,” he said in his speech before launching the Umno Bantu Rakyat 2.0 welfare programme and presenting aid to more than 2,000 single mothers, poor pupils and the disabled at Dewan Dato’ Mohamad Jamrah.
He said all government agencies and the private sector should also conduct more social welfare programmes to help those in need.
Later in Bukit Mertajam, Dr Ahmad Zahid said there was a strong potential for Barisan to wrest back the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat and the three state seats – Bukit Tengah, Bukit Tambun and Prai.
“These are potential seats that we can get back providing that we work hard,” he said in his speech when he officiated the building launch in Taman Seri Delima Juru.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said it was a good time for a “wind of change” in Penang but party and division leaders would have to work closely with other component parties to reach out to the community.
He also approved RM1mil to set up religious classes at Masjid Kampung Sekolah Juru and RM3mil for the construction of a roof for the Prai mosque.
In addition, RM500,000 each were alloted to Gerakan, MCA, MyPPP and MIC to be channelled to religious organisations and the underprivileged, including single parents.